A Republican senator suggested Tuesday that Secretary of State Hillary Clinton might make a good Supreme Court justice.

Washington (CNN) – Hillary Clinton's been a first lady, a senator, a trailblazer for women who aspire to the Oval Office and now the nation's top diplomat. Could a seat on the U.S. Supreme Court be the final stop on a long and successful career?

Well, Sen. Orrin Hatch, R-Utah, floated the idea Monday when he told NBC's "Today" that she "would be an interesting person in [the Supreme Court] mix."

"I happen to like Hillary Clinton," he said. "I think she's done a good job."

Alas, it doesn't appear to be in the cards right now or so says the White House.
"We appreciate Sen. Hatch's addition," White House press secretary Robert Gibbs said. "I think the president has identified in Secretary Clinton a capacity in which he thinks she's doing a wonderful job. The president is going to keep her as his secretary of State."

Late last week, Justice John Paul Stevens announced plans to retire, which will allow President Obama the opportunity to choose a second person to serve on the Court. Last year, Obama picked Judge Sonia Sotomayor to replace retiring Justice David Souter.

soundoff(119 Responses)

This suggestion is just a ploy by the Republicans to reignite the division in the Democratic party when Clinton ran against Obama. Does anyone really think the Republicans would vote for her?

April 12, 2010 04:48 pm at 4:48 pm |

geecee

Hillary is doing too good a job as Secretary of State. Why pull her to be a Supreme Court Justice and have her go through the humiliation of being grilled by the Republicans all over again? Perhaps to even be rejected by them. Right now she is in the best position the President could want. She has been outstanding in her job, much to the chagrin of the Republicans no doubt!! I bet they would like to get her out of his Administration. They would like to get a lot of people out of this administration. What a bunch of conniving losers/

April 12, 2010 04:50 pm at 4:50 pm |

Obama the Liar

no way-she is to far to the center for the socialist-in-chief.

April 12, 2010 04:52 pm at 4:52 pm |

Gary

Hill is a good senator but is way too idealogical to be a supreme court justice.

April 12, 2010 04:53 pm at 4:53 pm |

El Gordo

I would prefer Bill Clinton as a Justice to Hilary. We can save Hilary for the presidency.

April 12, 2010 04:55 pm at 4:55 pm |

Oregon calling

I thought that this would be a good fit when President Obama landed the Dem nomination. Still think that it is a good idea as the right leaning Justices don't stand a chance against her..

Rock the Boat and nominate someone that they "think" that they can "win" over... wink/wink

Peace🙂

April 12, 2010 04:56 pm at 4:56 pm |

Duck Fallas

Her husband ruined our economy. Thank God Bush came along and fixed everything.

April 12, 2010 04:56 pm at 4:56 pm |

Dominican mama 4 Obama

Oh yeah, I'm sure they would looove a Justice Clinton that would eliminate her from the 2016 pool of SERIOUS contenders to the White House. Nice try!

Look, here's a thought, there's still one Clinton available: how about hubby Bill?

It will be extremely interesting to see whom President Obama will choose as a replacemnt. There will no doubt be another huge debate as to whom that will be. I hope it's not a conservative. I doubt it will be.

April 12, 2010 05:01 pm at 5:01 pm |

rachel

Okay before the post gets full of clinton haters, she was twice listed as one of the top 100 lawyers in america. I don't know hatch's reason for putting her name out there probably just to cause a dust up. Hillary is too vocal to be supreme court justice.

April 12, 2010 05:01 pm at 5:01 pm |

OMG the Socialists are killing this country

Dow ends above 11,000 for first time in 18 months

April 12, 2010 05:04 pm at 5:04 pm |

Eric

Pres. Obama should be on the Supreme Court bench AND be President at the same time. That'd send the Republicans into a tizzy . They' be so outraged they couldn't even utter the monosyllable, "No."

April 12, 2010 05:06 pm at 5:06 pm |

Darth Vadik, CA

You know why the Republicans secretly like Hillary?

Because she is center leaning right in reality, only the crazy Republican right has made Hillary look like sh'e a moderate. But then again I like Hillary more at her position now, I say we put an Asian in the Supreme court, just to piss of the old white Republicans even more, just kidding,

we should put a good qualified person on the bench, not one who will be a lap dog to big businesses.

April 12, 2010 05:08 pm at 5:08 pm |

Jeff in Virginia

With statements like this, it is clear that Hatch is an enemy of the Democrats. There is simply NO WAY that Hatch thinks she'd be a good Justice. He wants Obama to waste time and political capital, nothing more.

April 12, 2010 05:09 pm at 5:09 pm |

Copying From The Smart Kid in Class?

1.) Who cares what Hatch thinks?

2.) At age 62, Clinton is too old. Like the Republicans, the Democrats need to place 40-somethings on the court that can influence things for a long time. Americans have had to live with Clarence Thomas since he was appointed at age 43.

3.) Clinton can win the Presidency in 2016 after two terms of an Obama Presidency and she might win re-election in 2020. With 16 years of straight Democratic Presidency, the Democrats will get to re-balance the court against the 5-4 majority typically reflected in "liberal" defeats. Better to keep Hilary Clinton in the elective process, not the judicial one. Clinton could make her 1st nominee to the Supreme Court historic, a former president that will be in his mid 50s.

Currently Scalia is 74 years old, Thomas is 61, Alito is 60 and Roberts is 55.

Ruth Bader Ginsburg is 77, Kennedy is 73 and Breyer is 71,

April 12, 2010 05:16 pm at 5:16 pm |

JoJo

I bet the Republicans are scare if Hillary runs in 2012 as an independent or 2016 she might win the Presidency. After Obama its Hillary on the ticket. The Republicans don't have anyone yet except Palin, and I don't see her getting any closer to replace anyone.

April 12, 2010 05:21 pm at 5:21 pm |

Michael from Ventura

Hilary is doing a great and important job as Secretary of State. She would make a great Justice someday, but right now I think she's in the perfect spot.

April 12, 2010 05:22 pm at 5:22 pm |

Aaron Powell

I believe Hillary would be a fair and smart addition to the Supreme Court. However, I believe she would serve the country better if she were to run for president again. I'm still heartbroken that she was not Obama's VP pick. I also believe Bill Clinton would be an excellent Supreme Court Justice. Both Clintons have committed their lives to the American people. I pray to God that he reinforces their commitment to the people, and believe it is in his hands....

April 12, 2010 05:23 pm at 5:23 pm |

Sherrie

Secretary of State Clinton would make an excellent Supreme Court Justice. Obama would be wise to select her.

April 12, 2010 05:27 pm at 5:27 pm |

Sniffit

she wants the presidency after Owebama......

lets pray that dont happen.........

but it is in the cards..............she is playin us..........just you watch

April 12, 2010 05:27 pm at 5:27 pm |

Ryan

Nice try. Republicans woud love to see her literally on the bench cuz she's too amazing in her current role and they're still scared she'd run in 2012.

April 12, 2010 05:29 pm at 5:29 pm |

Jake

She would be amazing! But I would rather have her back in the White House first!

April 12, 2010 05:29 pm at 5:29 pm |

Cal

Wouldn't it be nice for the GOP, to put the most promising Dem out of running for future presidency. On another note, perhaps Palin would be a fine selection, judging by the fact the she already writes in a way that nobody understands with numerous run-on sentences like a supreme court opinion.

April 12, 2010 05:32 pm at 5:32 pm |

Traci

This is further proof that Senator Hatch is senile and needs to retire.